my friend sarah had her 3? birthday today. to celebrate, she hosted dinner at mayflower in chinatown. mayflower is the favorite chinese resto by flips in los angeles. one can get delicious authentic (well almost) chinese for a good price. there are more flips eating here that i sometimes think a flip owns the business. walls are adorned with pictures of philippine-based stars and pound-for-pound king manny pacquiao has a section of the wall all to himself. would you believe even makati city mayor binay has a picture hanging on the wall? yeah, no kidding.
why am i telling you all these? hmm, nothing really. i just tried to write whatever comes to mind. i am trying to apply that "idea" theory observed by critic roger ebert when he mercilessly trashed brillante ma. mendoza's cannes entry kinatay. actually, after the euphoria of the past two days, i am already having misgivings about brillante's future at cannes. i don't see him coming back again in the next two or three years. he had his chance and i think he wasted it.
oh my, i am rambling again.
i just wanted to tell you how crazy it was in los angeles today. first we had that 4.1 temblor (an aftershock actually) at 3pm today. and then downtown LA hosted four mega-events tonight.
the lakers hosted the nuggets. lakers won! yey. don't tell my co-workers that because i tell them i am for whichever team that plays the lakers - just to keep the playoffs more fun, yah know.
the la dodgers hosted the ny mets with the dodgers pulling away with a 5-3 win. awesome! they've proven that even without the overpaid manny ramirez, the boys can deliver! goooood!
then dancing with the stars had their finale. what a shocker! :) as if i care... haha... shaun johnson pulled an upset againt sex and the city hunk (by the way, cynthia nixon is engaged!) gilles marini (is he related to jan marini? jologs time!!! lol). but upsets make for good rating so go figure... :)
and finally, idol aired the first night of its 2-night finale.
adam lambert and kris allen duked it out tonight. i did not watch it. i know, but i gotta work. simon fuller does not pay me to watch it - but i can blog about it, can't i? :)
early word has it that adam may win but it's actually kris allen who could win. an online poll by yahoo has kris allen leading amongst idol bloggers. way to go tony v! if kris wins, will you buy me a ticket to their idols tour concert? please, please?
all these four events made the drive to chinatown such a pain. traffic on the 10 and 110 freeways can only be described with that four-letter word and i add a dash (or a hyphen, whatever) and the word "up".
now did my "idea" entertain you? don't tell mr. ebert i am experimenting with his theory, okay?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
it's not over yet
the associated press is reporting that adam lambert has been virtually crowned by all four idol judges. i know that the show has not finished airing here in the west coast --- die-hard kris fans, you still got time! go vote!!!
my friend anselmo is going for adam lambert. tony v. will hate you! lol...
this is more fun than today's LA special elections... it's saddening actually, i know. but fun is fun - :)
1-866-43657-02
1-866-43657-04
1-866-43657-06
here's the AP story
Are there boundaries to declaring the next "American Idol" champ early? Apparently, nothing can contain the likes of Adam Lambert — not even a difficult new ballad co-written by Kara DioGuardi.
Simon Cowell all but crowned the California glam rocker the winner of Tuesday night's final performance show over Kris Allen, the acoustic guitar player who struggled mightily to stay in tune on "No Boundaries," co-written by the fourth "Idol" judge.
Lambert had no such trouble with the upper-register pop ballad, and Cowell said he genuinely believed the show had found a true star in the 27-year-old theater actor.
The judges were visibly deflated following Allen's version of "No Boundaries" — each was noncommittal, choosing to sound as if saying farewell to the 23-year-old heartthrob from Conway, Ark., rather than criticize his less-than-pitch-perfect performance.
"You have thoroughly, thoroughly deserved to be standing on this stage tonight," Cowell told Allen, who wore a slightly pained expression, as if he realized he'd missed the mark on that song.
Allen, a college student who has worked as a worship leader at his hometown church, told host Ryan Seacrest that he and Lambert aimed to forget competition and put on a good show. Still, that didn't keep Lambert from bringing his A-game, making Allen pale in comparison.
The two performed three songs apiece: a favorite past performance from this season; a tune selected by "Idol" creator Simon Fuller; and last but not least, DioGuardi's "No Boundaries."
For his first song, Lambert sang one of his greatest "Idol" hits, wearing a long, dark coat during the brooding arrangement of "Mad World" featured in the cult movie "Donnie Darko." While generally well-received, Cowell declared his goth getup to be too much, and a more conservatively dressed Allen followed up strong, reprising his rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine" on piano.
Cowell unequivocally declared Allen the "winner" of the first round.
"When your name was announced last week, I wasn't sure that America had made the right choice," Cowell said. "I absolutely take all that back now after that performance."
But Lambert easily bounced back for Round Two. He replaced his gloomy frock with a suit and tie for the second round of the sing-off and performed the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Is Gonna Come." The effect was soulful and propulsive, flaunting Lambert's vocal range and theatrical delivery.
"That was the best I've ever heard you sing — ever!" crowed Paula Abdul.
Next up, Allen turned to his trusty guitar for the Marvin Gaye tune "What's Going On."
Cowell dismissed the interpretation as lightweight, saying it sounded like "three friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye. ... I thought it was too laid-back for a night like this." He then gave Round Two to Lambert.
Both singers had rough spots in the swelling ballad co-written by DioGuardi, but where Lambert capably rose to the high notes, Allen failed and fell flat; it was clear from the look on his face that he knew he'd been beaten.
Though Cowell made no declaration of a winner for the final round, it was clear from the entire panel's concessionary remarks that they knew it, too.
But this is "American Idol," and America decides.
The winner will be named on Wednesday night's final results show.
****
and the la lakers is trailing the nuggets by 6 points! what a night (update-lakers won!)... LA special elections had an 11% turnout - methinks they should really have all elections done through text voting... take the cue from idol. lol.
my friend anselmo is going for adam lambert. tony v. will hate you! lol...
this is more fun than today's LA special elections... it's saddening actually, i know. but fun is fun - :)
1-866-43657-02
1-866-43657-04
1-866-43657-06
here's the AP story
Are there boundaries to declaring the next "American Idol" champ early? Apparently, nothing can contain the likes of Adam Lambert — not even a difficult new ballad co-written by Kara DioGuardi.
Simon Cowell all but crowned the California glam rocker the winner of Tuesday night's final performance show over Kris Allen, the acoustic guitar player who struggled mightily to stay in tune on "No Boundaries," co-written by the fourth "Idol" judge.
Lambert had no such trouble with the upper-register pop ballad, and Cowell said he genuinely believed the show had found a true star in the 27-year-old theater actor.
The judges were visibly deflated following Allen's version of "No Boundaries" — each was noncommittal, choosing to sound as if saying farewell to the 23-year-old heartthrob from Conway, Ark., rather than criticize his less-than-pitch-perfect performance.
"You have thoroughly, thoroughly deserved to be standing on this stage tonight," Cowell told Allen, who wore a slightly pained expression, as if he realized he'd missed the mark on that song.
Allen, a college student who has worked as a worship leader at his hometown church, told host Ryan Seacrest that he and Lambert aimed to forget competition and put on a good show. Still, that didn't keep Lambert from bringing his A-game, making Allen pale in comparison.
The two performed three songs apiece: a favorite past performance from this season; a tune selected by "Idol" creator Simon Fuller; and last but not least, DioGuardi's "No Boundaries."
For his first song, Lambert sang one of his greatest "Idol" hits, wearing a long, dark coat during the brooding arrangement of "Mad World" featured in the cult movie "Donnie Darko." While generally well-received, Cowell declared his goth getup to be too much, and a more conservatively dressed Allen followed up strong, reprising his rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine" on piano.
Cowell unequivocally declared Allen the "winner" of the first round.
"When your name was announced last week, I wasn't sure that America had made the right choice," Cowell said. "I absolutely take all that back now after that performance."
But Lambert easily bounced back for Round Two. He replaced his gloomy frock with a suit and tie for the second round of the sing-off and performed the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Is Gonna Come." The effect was soulful and propulsive, flaunting Lambert's vocal range and theatrical delivery.
"That was the best I've ever heard you sing — ever!" crowed Paula Abdul.
Next up, Allen turned to his trusty guitar for the Marvin Gaye tune "What's Going On."
Cowell dismissed the interpretation as lightweight, saying it sounded like "three friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye. ... I thought it was too laid-back for a night like this." He then gave Round Two to Lambert.
Both singers had rough spots in the swelling ballad co-written by DioGuardi, but where Lambert capably rose to the high notes, Allen failed and fell flat; it was clear from the look on his face that he knew he'd been beaten.
Though Cowell made no declaration of a winner for the final round, it was clear from the entire panel's concessionary remarks that they knew it, too.
But this is "American Idol," and America decides.
The winner will be named on Wednesday night's final results show.
****
and the la lakers is trailing the nuggets by 6 points! what a night (update-lakers won!)... LA special elections had an 11% turnout - methinks they should really have all elections done through text voting... take the cue from idol. lol.
vote for kris on idol tonight!
as promised to my friend tony v., who thinks that kris allen shows more promise to attain superstardom than the more fabulous (that is how my twitter friend @gaymendoza describes the talented performer! although, i must say i totally agree!) adam lambert, i am starting a campaign to get you to cast your vote for kris allen tonight on idol.
for more kris allen info let's all refer to the modern-day encyclopedia called wikipedia... lol, am trying hard to be funny... but you are laughing! lol...
don't wait for ryan's cue. when it hits 8:59pm, pick up your phone and start thumbing the numbers away - lol...
let's all make tony v. happy, shall we?
for more kris allen info let's all refer to the modern-day encyclopedia called wikipedia... lol, am trying hard to be funny... but you are laughing! lol...
Kris Allen
Kristopher Neil Allen (born June 21, 1985), known as Kris Allen, is an American singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas who is currently a finalist on the eighth season of reality television series American Idol. Prior to Idol he released an album entitled Brand New Shoes.
Early life and education
Kris Allen was born in Jacksonville, Arkansas to Kimberly (née Wood) and Neil Allen. He has one younger brother named Daniel who is a student and cheerleading coach at the University of Central Arkansas. Allen attended Murrell Taylor Elementary School, Fuller Middle School and Mills University Studies High School, where he was active in the school's orchestra as a viola player and later went on to win a spot in his state's all-state orchestra.
Along with the viola, Allen taught himself how to play the guitar at age 13, and is also proficient with the piano and the ukulele. In 2007, he self-produced an album entitled Brand New Shoes with college friends and bandmates Michael Holmes (drums) and Chase Erwin (bass).
American Idol
Allen auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky with his brother Daniel, who didn't make it to Hollywood.He performed "I Want You Back," by The Jackson 5, during Hollywood week as part of a group named White Chocolate, which included fellow finalist and semi-finals roommate Matt Giraud. At the Idol Mansion, Allen was roommates with contestant Adam Lambert. According to the Us Weekly article about the Top 13, Allen stated, in regard to Lambert being a good fit, "We're both neat."
Allen was voted into the finals along with Lambert and Allison Iraheta on February 26, 2009. He has received many compliments throughout the competition for his folk-inspired interpretations of modern pop songs, and has played several instruments during his performances, including the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar, the keyboard, and the piano. Randy Jackson has compared him to Jason Mraz.
Season 7 American Idol winner David Cook stated that Allen and Lambert are his favorites of Season 8. Country music singer and actress Reba McEntire has echoed the same opinions, also adding Iraheta to her list of favorites.
After being voted into the Top 3 Finalists, Kris Allen returned home to Arkansas (see picture) and his hometown to film the material for the next 2 American Idol episodes. Allen was greeted by a crowd estimated to be greater than 20,000. Allen performed concerts in Little Rock and Conway, playing many of his popular songs during the competition, including "Man in the Mirror", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Falling Slowly", and "She Works Hard for the Money" at his venues; as well as "Come Together" at the local Fox News studio. He performed all of these songs with his guitar.
don't wait for ryan's cue. when it hits 8:59pm, pick up your phone and start thumbing the numbers away - lol...
let's all make tony v. happy, shall we?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
